The Library – an Open Book
The new National Library of Israel recently opened in the centre of Jerusalem, largely unnoticed despite the long planning phase. The architecture was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and implemented in collaboration with Israeli lead architect Mann-Shinar. The iconic building resembles an open book – architecture parlante! – and serves as an archive of Israeli literature, history and culture. The monograph published by Hirmer Verlag showcases the architecture of the library and discusses the importance of libraries in the digital age.
Photo: Eli Signalowski
The new building marks the culmination of a 30-year process to renovate the Israeli National Library under the direction of Yad Hanadiv (Rothschild Foundation). The book traces the design and concept of the building, which was constructed in collaboration with Mann-Shinar. Illustrations from the construction phases, texts by leading Israeli authors, drawings by Zoya Cherkassky and a graphic novel by Rutu Modan make this bibliophile volume a unique building monograph.
"The Library. An Open Book.", Ido Bruno (ed.), with texts from: H. Rothschild, I. Bruno, S. Y. Agnon, A. Bar-Levav, H. Be’er, M. Buber, L. Jorge, E. Keret, S. Sebag Montefiore, A. Nafisi, S. Orlean, H. Pedaya, D. Rabinyan, S. Schama, M. Shalev, D. Sudjic, R. Ukeles, O. Weinberg, L. Zalmanson, Design: Noa Schwartz, Graphic Novel: Rutu Modan, photographs by Zoya Cherkassky Fotografie: A. Hay, E. Singalovski, A. Shaar-Yashuv, hardcover, 330 pages, 23 x 28 cm, Hirmer (München), 2025. ISBN: 978-3-7774-4322-5
